Dasun Shanaka in action this ILT20 2023 (Source: ILT20)
The MI Emirates will face the Dubai Capitals in the Eliminator of the ongoing ILT20 2023 season. The two sides finished the league stage among the four highest-ranked teams on the points table, thus punching their tickets for the playoffs.
The winner of the upcoming contest will have to undergo another hurdle before the final, in the form of Qualifier 2 on February 10. Meanwhile, the loser will be eliminated from the tournament.
The MI Emirates began the inaugural ILT20 season strongly. Under Nicholas Pooran, they won three matches upfront before losing traction in the crucial stages. They managed to add only two more wins in their subsequent seven fixtures, and secured a top four finish owing to their emphatic beginnings.
The Dubai Capitals, on the other hand, earned their qualification by winning their last league stage game against the same opponents they are about to encounter. They barely edged past the Sharjah Warriors on the points table, despite holding an inferior net run-rate.
Match Details
Date & Time: February 9, 7:30 PM IST
Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah
Live Telecast & Streaming: Zee Network and ZEE5
Pitch Report: The surface at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium is known to be favourable for batting, with something on offer for the spinners as well. The average first innings score at the venue this season has been 162 after six completed matches.
Predicted Playing XI
MI Emirates: Andre Fletcher, Muhammad Waseem, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Nicholas Pooran (c), Dan Mousley, Bas de Leede, Zahoor Khan, Zahir Khan, Jordan Thompson, Craig Overton and Brad Wheal.
Dubai Capitals: George Munsey, Robin Uthappa (wk), Sikandar Raza, Dasun Shanaka, Rovman Powell, Yusuf Pathan (c), Adam Zampa, Fred Klaassen, Jake Ball, Hazrat Luqman and Akif Raja.
Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips
Wicketkeeper: Robin Uthappa
Batters: Andre Fletcher, Muhammad Waseem, Nicholas Pooran, George Munsey
All-Rounders: Dasun Shanaka, Yusuf Pathan, Sikandar Raza
Bowlers: Adam Zampa, Craig Overton, Jake Ball
Captain: Sikandar Raza
Vice-Captain: Nicholas Pooran
Prediction
The MI Emirates are considered as favourites to emerge victorious and knock Dubai Capitals out of the ILT20 2023 competition.
Also Read: Gulf Giants’ James Vince overshadows Robin Uthappa with run-chase special
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